Rihanna ranks no. 2 on Billboard’s Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century, ahead of Beyoncé at no. 3

Rihanna has secured the No. 2 spot on Billboard’s list of the Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century, with Beyoncé ranking third.

The rankings were determined based on artists’ performance on the Billboard 200 albums chart and the Hot 100 songs chart from January 1, 2000, to December 28, 2024. Topping the list is Taylor Swift, who was recently named the top artist overall of the past 25 years.

Given Rihanna’s impact on the music industry, her high placement comes as no surprise. From her ability to blend genres seamlessly to her undeniable chart dominance, she has consistently delivered hit after hit. Her debut single, “Pon de Replay,” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 in 2005, signaling the arrival of a new pop powerhouse.

RELATED STORIES

Meet the P.E. teacher hoping to become the next American Idol: 'I feel like I’m different'

Waffle House employee’s embarrassing mistake with a Jonas Brother probably cost them a music video  

Why ‘Abbott Elementary’ creator Quinta Brunson has filed for divorce from husband of 3 years

Nick Cannon, father of 12, says he’s not done growing his family

Watch a recent episode of the Make Your Mark podcast below and subscribe to our channel PanaGenius TV for latest episodes.

She quickly ascended to the top with 2006’s “SOS,” her first No. 1, and by the end of the next decade, she had amassed 14 No. 1 hits—the most of any artist in the first quarter of the century and the third-most in history. Her versatility played a crucial role in her success, with chart-toppers spanning pop, R&B, dance, and dancehall. Additionally, her collaborations with Eminem and T.I. propelled them to No. 1 as well.

READ ALSO: Rihanna attends A$AP Rocky’s trial for the first time as accuser takes the stand

Rihanna’s achievements extend beyond singles. Between 2005 and 2016, she released eight studio albums, all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Two of them—2012’s Unapologetic and 2016’s Anti—claimed the No. 1 spot. While fans eagerly await her next album, her legacy remains untouchable, with 14 No. 1 hits, 32 top 10s, and 63 total Hot 100 entries, ensuring her music remains in constant rotation.

Beyoncé, ranked third, has also left an indelible mark on the industry. From her early days in Destiny’s Child to her evolution as a solo superstar, she has continuously pushed artistic boundaries. Her debut solo single, “Crazy in Love,” featuring JAY-Z, dominated the Hot 100 for seven weeks in 2003, marking the first of her nine solo chart-toppers, culminating in 2024’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

While the 2000s saw Beyoncé crafting undeniable hits, the 2010s marked a shift toward artistic experimentation. She redefined album releases with the surprise drop of her 2013 self-titled album, elevated visual storytelling with Beyoncé and Lemonade, and infused fresh energy into her catalog with 2022’s dance-driven Renaissance and 2024’s country-leaning Cowboy Carter.

No matter the era or style, one thing remained constant: a Beyoncé album was always an event. All eight of her standard studio albums, from 2003’s Dangerously in Love to Cowboy Carter, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She even made history as the first album by a Black woman to top the Top Country Albums chart.

READ ALSO: Beyoncé makes history as first Black woman to win Album of the Year in the 21st century at 2025 Grammys for ‘Cowboy Carter’

Check out the full list of Billboard’s Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century below.

1. Taylor Swift
2. Rihanna
3. Beyoncé
4. Adele
5. Katy Perry
6. Lady Gaga
7. P!nk
8. Ariana Grande
9. Miley Cyrus
10. Alicia Keys
11. Kelly Clarkson
12. Mariah Carey
13. Carrie Underwood
14. Britney Spears
15. Billie Eilish
16. Nicki Minaj
17. Destiny’s Child
18. SZA
19. Avril Lavigne
20. Christina Aguilera
21. Olivia Rodrigo
22. Jennifer Lopez
23. Mary J. Blige
24. Doja Cat
25. Dua Lipa
26. Kesha
27. Cardi B
28. Fergie
29. Ashanti
30. Selena Gomez
31. Norah Jones
32. Gwen Stefani
33. Meghan Trainor
34. The Chicks
35. Faith Hill
36. Madonna
37. Halsey
38. Ciara
39. Evanescence
40. Missy Elliott
41. Janet Jackson
42. Lizzo
43. Nelly Furtado
44. Lorde
45. Shakira
46. Sugarland
47. Aaliyah
48. Céline Dion
49. The Pussycat Dolls
50. Sabrina Carpenter
51. Camila Cabello
52. Demi Lovato
53. Sheryl Crow
54. Colbie Caillat
55. Sia
56. Miranda Lambert
57. Leona Lewis
58. Keyshia Cole
59. No Doubt
60. Dido
61. Enya
62. Ellie Goulding
63. Megan Thee Stallion
64. Sara Bareilles
65. Jessica Simpson
66. Shania Twain
67. Eve
68. Natasha Bedingfield
69. Whitney Houston
70. Iggy Azalea
71. Lana Del Rey
72. Amy Winehouse
73. Hilary Duff
74. Gretchen Wilson
75. Carly Rae Jepsen
76. Susan Boyle
77. Jordin Sparks
78. Ashlee Simpson
79. Martina McBride
80. Chappell Roan
81. Fleetwood Mac
82. The Band Perry
83. Michelle Branch
84. Alessia Cara
85. Summer Walker
86. Reba McEntire
87. Keri Hilson
88. Barbra Streisand
89. Myá
90. Bebe Rexha
91. Paramore (Hayley Williams)
92. Lil’ Kim
93. Brenda Lee
94. Toni Braxton
95. Charli XCX
96. Sade (Sade Adu)
97. Fifth Harmony
98. Fantasia
99. Vanessa Carlton
100. Danity Kane

READ ALSO: Doechii named Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year; Erykah Badu, Tyla, others to be honored at Billboard Women in Music